This text is a disturbing read. Introducing themes such as child abuse, incest, alienation, mental illness, bullying and extremist religious behaviour, it is not an easy book to digest; however for the sophisticated reader it is a book that intrigues and affects every essence of your humanity. Hester has been kept imprisoned in her home by her reclusive religious parents. Her companions are Cat, Spoon, Broom and Handle and they engage Hester in conversations. Suddenly thrust into the outside world, Hester is at once the object of ridicule and derision. This is not a book that can be easily put down, as the reader is filled with the fear of what is going to happen next conjoined with a desire not to loose the thread of the plot, which at times can be baffling. This is a dark and terrible tale told in lyrical, poetic language and stark imagery. It is coloured with religious references adding a further layer of desolation and denseness to the text. You can only hope that the reading of this book may promote wider discussion of child abuse. The saddest aspect of this type of fiction is that for some children, there are threads of truth to be found within the story.

Fiona Edwards is an editor, journalist and teacher

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